Unveiling the Secrets of the Bornean Ferret Badger, a Rare Nocturnal Mammal Found Only in Sabah

Some wild animals are so adept at hiding that even communities living nearby are unaware of their existence. One such example is the Bornean ferret badger (Melogale everetti). This small carnivorous mammal, weighing about one kilogram, hunts on the forest floor at night. For decades, it remained one of the least understood mammals in Southeast Asia. However, that mystery is beginning to unravel. A comprehensive study has now produced the most complete portrait of this isolated species. Between December 2021 and September 2024, a research team from the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU) at the University of Oxford, the Sabah Forestry Department, and Sabah Parks conducted a large-scale survey. Using 188 camera trap stations across the western highlands of Sabah, the team recorded 407 independent documentation events, the largest dataset ever assembled for this species. One of the most surprising findings was the discovery of a new population in the Nuluhon-Trusmadi Forest Reserve, an area where the species’ presence had not previously been confirmed. Mohammad Aliyuddin bin Jaini, Field Manager for the Bornean Carnivore Programme, expressed his astonishment. ‘I grew up in Tambunan and had never seen or even heard of the Bornean ferret badger,’ he said. ‘I decided to set up some camera traps around my family farm just to see what wildlife might be there, and I was amazed when a Bornean ferret badger appeared in the photo. Finding that an endangered species found only in Sabah lives right on our doorstep was a very special moment.’ Despite the discovery of this new population, habitat modelling indicates that the species’ range is extremely limited, confined to the Kinabalu-Crocker-Trusmadi mountain landscape in western Sabah. The animal is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Dr. Andrew Hearn, lead author of the study and Director of the Bornean Carnivore Programme, stated, ‘Our study adds weight to the conclusion that the Bornean ferret badger is found only in Sabah. We suggest that the alternative common name ’Kinabalu ferret badger’ could be used to strengthen the link between this species and the landscape it inhabits.’